Blowback

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I think NS and CSX shared some yards as well. And Conrail might not have been taken over entirely. But like I said, not all that interested in the intricacies of the takeover. I am comfortable with you several personalities having far superior knowledge on the subject over myself.

As a huge rail buff (specifically, we like to be called railfans) I can testify that this guy’s reaction is not that unusual. Like most geeky hobbies, this one attracts a large percentage of overly addicted, possibly autistic fanboys. I’ve actually witnessed worse at vintage railroad events, one which almost got someone killed. And if I said the name “Dennis Riga” to any buff from the New York City area, they would instantly know whom I was talking about.

BTW, in the rail buff community, we use the term “foamer” to describe people like this. The term dates to the 1950′s, being used by railroad employees to describe the nutty buffs they encounter while out in the field. Specifically, the ones who would “foam at the mouth” when a train would pass them by. Over the years, the term spread outside the industry.

I think NS and CSX shared some yards as well. And Conrail might not have been taken over entirely. But like I said, not all that interested in the intricacies of the takeover. I am comfortable with you several personalities having far superior knowledge on the subject over myself.

…I wanted a Lionel Train set as a kid…never got one…wanted to get one for my son… he never wanted one…I’m going to get one somehow!

KOOLAID2 on August 2, 2012 at 11:10 PM

There are a lot of fathers out there that convinced their sons to ask Santa for a train set.

Seriously though, I have to wonder if the proggies like Governor Moonbeam that pine for ‘high-speed rail’ are just working out childhood fantasies. Imagine how much money California could save if someone would just huury up and buy Moonbeam a $10K Lionel set already.

OK. I know the video starts with seemingly endless footage of the plane-guard helo lifting off. But the combat pass by the E-2C is worth the wait. The appearance by the CO of VFA-25 “Fist of the Fleet” is truly inspiring. And the helos get to do a little showing off later on. Even the COD is in on this airshow.

I know I would if I ever got to see the General and the Texas fire up and re-enact their famous chase.

cozmo on August 2, 2012 at 11:48 PM

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That would be a spectacle . . . but aren’t they 5 foot gauge?
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It was disapointing to learn awhile back that the PRR Museum at Strasburg, PA, had taken the 1223 (4-4-0) and the 7002 (4-4-2) out of running, all together. They look great in the museum, but they’d look better running !
A few older videos of them double-heading excursions have been uploaded on YT.

Humongous train fans exist in Japan, too. They go in mostly for photographing and riding the bullet trains (Shinkansen) and commuter trains, although some do follow the freight trains. There are videos of train routes, filmed from the cab so you see what the conductor sees. There are at least two magazines devoted to the hobby, and a huge museum north of Tokyo. Let’s just say the reason I know all this is because I know someone who has gotten caught up in the hobby…someone very close to me, and no, it’s not me. I just go along for the ride. :-)

I once had a coworker leave my car while I was stopped for a train and do something similar but at much lower key. Afterwards he ranted all through lunch about what he had just seen. Weird then, weird thinking about it now.

I agree. he pretty much says in this video the same as what the other guy said. You really can tell when he started talking about how cold it is and the elderly man in the video has a short sleeve shirt on and its appears to be the middle of the summer…trees.

You may also want to tell him about the Grapevine Rail Road between Grapevine and the stockyards. Or the Texas State Rail Road between Athens and Palestine. The Oklahoma Railway Museum operates some diesels if that is what he prefers.

There was a deal in the works to do just that for a movie. It fell through due the amount of work (mostly because of the cut piston rods I think). I believe there was one that ended getting restores for the movie though. Don’t remember the movie.

I agree. he pretty much says in this video the same as what the other guy said. You really can tell when he started talking about how cold it is and the elderly man in the video has a short sleeve shirt on and its appears to be the middle of the summer…trees.

tommer74 on August 3, 2012 at 12:32 AM

Same basic video and monologue. This one I buy as real. Not the excited train guy video.

Dunderhead, when my wife and I do these things, she drops me of like a kid at the candy store and goes…shopping. Unless you prefer shopping in Lubbock to Fort Worth, or Dallas. Or the Strand in Galveston. Nice RR museum there too.

Allah, I don’t give a crap what anyone says. You are a master. You know your crew like nobody’s business. 175 comments off a stinking train thread. I bow to you and chant. I’m not worthy.
Well done. Up twinkles. ; )

If this video is indeed genuine, then I guarantee this person is on the Autism spectrum. They tend to have extreme areas of interest. Kinda like an extreme baseball fan that knows all the stats spanning over decades.

How do I know this? Our son is on the Autism spectrum. Students, parents, and adults all make fun on him and make judgments.

They tend to have extreme areas of interest. Kinda like an extreme baseball fan that knows all the stats spanning over decades.

How do I know this? Our son is on the Autism spectrum. Students, parents, and adults all make fun on him and make judgments.

Welcome to our world.

pastselldate on August 3, 2012 at 9:03 AM

Well then I know a whole lot of autistic people. Come on, people can have hobbies they really really love and that’s what this is. I know, I have train buffs as friends and in the family. They get excited when they see something like this, you should see them on an actual train trip. It’s like seeing and getting a picture of a rare species of animal or bird to them.
Sure some people carry it to extreme, just like any hobbyist. But outside of their hobby they are perfectly normal. And most are extremely sociable, often belonging to clubs and travel groups or as preservationists. If we are now starting to claim that enthusiasts are autistic that is taking it too far. Now if it totally dominates their lives and they show other serious lack of social skills, perhaps. JMO

I did not claim that enthusiasts are autistic — at least not all of them. However, after watching this video, it’s very much like going on our group outings. LOL!! This is very much how an Asperger’s person would present. Not saying the person in the video **IS** on the spectrum, but this is how it presents itself. And this is why people make fun of my son — because he’s quirky and different.

Knowing someone and living it day-to-day are two different things. No two are the same.

So maybe this dude in the video IS just a regular guy that’s an enthusiast. But it sure as heck doesn’t look that way to me. :)

I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming, home of the Union Pacific steam shop and roundhouse. They maintain two locomotives (844 “Northern” and 3985 “Challenger”) in running condition and occasionally take them out for excursions.

The sound of the steam whistles gives me the chills. Love them old fire-breathing monsters.

I hear you on this.
Our son is on the Autism spectrum and has extreme areas of interest and I can relate to the adults and children making fun of his interests. Kids know no better; the adults I cannot understand.
My consolation is knowing the joy those interests bring to my son and us and the fact that later in life he’ll use them to make a name for himself while the rest of the slobs b*tch and moan over his success.
Even if it’s not the interests that will help him the drive will.
I keep thinking of Edison and Gates and to a certain extent Jobs as well.

So maybe this dude in the video IS just a regular guy that’s an enthusiast. But it sure as heck doesn’t look that way to me. :)

pastselldate on August 3, 2012 at 10:18 AM

I took issue when you said “guarantee.” I think we need more information on the rest of this man’s life to make any kind of judgement. To me this is no different than die hard sports fans, or even researchers. I volunteered at a paleontolgy dig once. Try it if you want to see real excitement and filming. Or go talk to reenactors at a battle or hot rod owners at a show;)

Yes, its a parody of the Rainbow Guy. As is the Heritage Paint Scheme video that this video resembles. Word on one of the railroad history sites is that the person behind this parody works for the railroad industry.

Personally, it would take a fully restored and operable Yellowstone to get me that excited. And I hope I would be able to contain myself.